Well, this is a crummy way to start a new year: actor James Avery, best known for playing the easily agitated, yet lovingly loyal Uncle Phil on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the voice of Shredder in the animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, passed away today, according to his TV son Alfonso Ribeiro on Twitter.

We’ll update with more information as it becomes available. Until then:

It happens that way with family members too, not just couples. My dad had the same situation. We had all exited the hospital room or had fallen asleep in the room for a brief moment and that’s when he passed. Nonetheless, RIP Uncle Phil.

Oh man, this is terrible news. I always liked seeing the people who were in shows I watched as a child appear in new things, and I was particularly happy when I saw James Avery (c’mon, you know him as Uncle Phil too).

Hug ‘em if you got ‘em, people. Start the new year with a little love in your hearts.